President Donald Trump is reportedly considering additional tariffs or other trade actions against Canada as the two countries exchange retaliatory measures over failed trade negotiations. The president’s desired escalation could range from imposing higher tariffs, beyond the already 50 percent on hundreds of Canadian products, to other trade actions, a White House official told Bloomberg Tuesday. The unnamed White House official did not expand on the potential new actions but said people could expect the administration to respond to Canada taxing approximately $20 billion in American products.
The Independent has asked the U.S. Office of the Trade Representative for comment. Trump appeared to hint at further action against Canada in an interview with Glenn Beck Wednesday, saying, “it's time to teach Canada you can't do this anymore.” “They don’t have anything that we have to have, okay, we can get by,” Trump said Wednesday morning.
A trade conflict erupted between the U.S. and Canada last week, after negotiations between the once-friendly North American neighbors disintegrated at the 11th hour. The two countries were reportedly close to striking a trade deal to prevent Trump’s 50 percent tariffs from taking effect. The president has long complained that Canada, one of the U.S.’s largest trading partners, unfairly restricts U.S. exports of dairy, alcohol and auto parts.
But after tense negotiations, Prime Minister Mark Carney walked away from the negotiation table, accusing U.S. officials of offering a bad deal and trying to make “last-minute changes” that led him to “question the reliability of any deal.” “You’re at war when you’re attacked, and we got attacked,” Carney said over the weekend. Trump imposed the tariffs of up to 50 percent on $20 billion of Canadian imports, under a provision of the 1930 Tariff Act. Canada responded by essentially matching the U.S’s tariffs, announcing new levies of up to 50 percent on hundreds of American exports set to take effect September 8.
But Canadian officials are also considering other actions against the U.S., should Trump continue to retaliate. Ontario Premier Doug Ford, one of the officials leading the Canadian charge against Trump, threatened to cut off U.S. access to electricity and minerals. I’ll do whatever it takes.” Ford has previously threatened to revoke the U.S.’s access to electricity in trade negotiations with Trump.
This week, Trump also threatened to rename Lake Ontario to “Lake America.” Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
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